Sport is a brutal business. One side wins, the other loses. It’s triumph or disaster, as Kipling has it.
Every day during the course of The Championships a lot of players face the frustration of things going by the wayside – matches, world ranking status, hopes, dreams, reputations. But away from the ruthless emotional bubble in which they operate, there is another, rather touching lost-and-found dynamic at work at Wimbledon: the Lost Property Office.
Situated under the West Stand of No.3 Court, near Gate 13, the team work from 10.30am to 10.30pm to help reunite anxious spectators with lost wallets, train tickets, designer sunglasses, favourite cardigans, cameras and mobile phones. They receive items found around the grounds, log them in the system, store them carefully on shelves and wait to see if the owners will come to retrieve them. Long queues develop as soon as play ends on Centre Court and No.1 Court.
It’s a practical job, handled with sensitivity as they regularly witness tears of joy and feel moved to comfort the frustrated.
Some items are filed under Baffling. In previous years, they have dutifully logged a Danger Mouse costume, a prosthetic limb and a Christmas pudding. This year they are concerned about the well-being of the owners of two non-matching crutches.
If anyone is looking for a clearly well-loved, cuddly pale green frog or a small fluffy cat – don’t panic, they’re safe and sound, and have even been given names. All items can be retrieved in person from the office. Alternatively, you can call +44(0)20 8971 2251 and the team will post it on free of charge, or you can arrive at a gate and be escorted by security to the Lost Property Office.
This year, the depository resembles a smart hat shop. To date, 120 straw hats – almost identical - have been logged, carefully wrapped in protective plastic bags and kept on shelves. The total of 950 ‘lost’ items handed in so far this year include 64 umbrellas, several items of clothing, sunglasses by the boxload, ditto prescription glasses, the two crutches, a charm from a bracelet and a £20 note.
Cameras and phones are quickly reclaimed thanks to the vogue for selfies. Someone claiming a lost phone can readily produce an identifying picture of themselves on the handset as proof of ID.
Anything left unclaimed in Left Luggage at the end of a day gets brought over the following morning, gradually filling the storage room with tents, camping chairs, footballs, rugs and picnic coolers. All food is thrown away to prevent a smell brewing.
Items can be claimed up until November. Thereafter, they are recycled for charity by the Wimbledon Foundation. Last year 60-plus pairs of glasses left at The Championships were sent to Vision Aid Overseas, an international charity dedicated to fighting poverty by transforming access to eye care in developing countries.
